Slip-through buckle

ABSTRACT

A slip-through buckle for a semi-flexible non-expansible and non-resilient watch band in which a boss in the base of the buckle frame is adapted to be received in one of a number of spaced notches in the underside of the tongue end of the band and in which a resilient clamping plate retained on the frame and overlying the tongue end of the band and which is urged into engagement with the upper side of the tongue end of the band by cams as the cover of the buckle is closed may flex to accommodate temporary misalignment between the boss and a recess, which misalignment can be corrected by pulling on the band and without damage to the parts of the buckle.

I United States Patent 1 [111 3,735,455 Hauser 1 Ma 29, 1973 [54] SLIP-THROUGH BUCKLE 3,212,151 10/1965 Guerrero "24 205 Inventor: ym Hauser North g 3,531,835 10/1970 Paikm ..24/250 Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel [73'] Assignee: Kreisler Manufacturing Corpora- Assistant Examiner-Garry Moore on, North Bel-gen N Attorney-Shenier and OConnor [22] Filed: May 20, 1971 v 57 ABSTRACT [21] PP 1451418 A slip-through buckle for a semi-flexible non-expansible andnon-resilient watch band in which a boss in 52 us. c1..; ..24/191 the base the frame is adapted received [511 Cl A47) 19/00 in one of a number of spaced notches in the underside [58] Fie'ld B 250 of the tongue end of the band and in which a resilient 24/170 clamping plate retained on the frame and overlying the tongue end of the band and which is urged into engagement with the upper side of the tongue end of the 5 Reference? cued band by cams as the cover of the buckle is closed may UNITED STATES PATENTS flex to accommodate temporary misalignment between the boss and a recess, which misalignment 3,339,248 9/1967 Campaiola ..24/2C6 can be corrected by pulling on the band and without 2,667,092 1/1954 Schaffer ..24/l34 damage to the parts of the buckle, 1,656,113 1/1928 Herman... ..24/134 3,319,308 5/1967 Williams; ..24/l70 6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Pmmm m 3735.455

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S'eymour Houser H T TORNE Y5 1 SLW-THROUGH BUCKLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many and various types of connectors are known in the prior art for joining the ends of a bracelet or watch band or the like. In some instances the nature of the connector is dictated by the material of which the band is made. Some bands of the prior art are formed from a mesh or link structure which provides a semi-flexible non-expansible and non-resilient band one end of which receives a buckle and the other end of which forms a tongue adapted to be inserted through and secured in the buckle.

In one particular form of buckle for use with a semiflexible nonexpansible and non-resilient band a frame has a base formed with a boss adapted to be received in one of a number of spaced notches in the underside of the tongue end of the band. After the tongue end of the band has been slipped through the buckle the cover is closed to bring a cam or cams carried thereby into engagement with a short rigid plate pivoted on the cover at a location close to the cover pivot to move the plate into engagement with the upper surface of the band to clamp the band in place with the buckle base boss disposed in one of the recesses.

While a buckle of the type described above is generally satisfactory it incorporates a serious defect. In use of the buckle as the tongue end of the band is slipped therethrough both the boss on the buckle frame base and the notch in the underside of the band are out of the wearers view. As a result the user may attempt to close the buckle cover while the boss is in alignment with a portion of the underside of the tongue end of the band outside the recesses. Owing to the construction of buckles of the prior art if this is done damage to the parts is likely to result. That damage may be, for example, a bending or breaking of either the cover of clamping plate pivot or it may result in a bending of the clamping plate to render it ineffective in its clamping action. The consequence of such damage could be an accidental disengagement of the buckle and consequent loss of a valuable article such a watch or the like.

Another defect of buckles of the type described above is-the possibility that the tongue may be inserted into the frame between the cover and the clamping plate.

I have invented an improved slip-through buckle which overcomes the defects of slip-through buckles of the prior art described above. My buckle is more secure than are slip-through buckles of the prior art. My buckle prevents damage to the parts thereof in the event of accidental misalignment of elements of the buckle and the band. My buckle facilitates the operation of inserting the tongue end of the band into the buckle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of my invention is to provide an improved slip-through buckle which overcomes a significant defect of slip-through buckles of the prior art.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved slip-through buckle which is especially adapted for use with bands of the non-expansible semi-flexible non-elastic type.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved slip-through buckle which obviates the possibility of accidental damage to the parts thereof in the 2 event of misalignment of elements of the band and buckle.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved slip-through buckle which is more secure than are slip-through buckles of the prior art.

Yet, another object of my invention is to provide an improved slip-through buckle which facilitates the operation of introducing the tongue end of the band into the buckle.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear in the following description.

In general my invention contemplates the provision of an improved slip-through buckle for a non-resilient, non-expansible, semi-flexible band in which a boss in the buckle base is adapted to be received in a recess in the underside of the tongue end of the band and in which a resilient flexible clamping plate retained on the buckle frame is adapted to flex as the cover is closed to bring cams thereon into engagement with the plate when the boss in the base is out of alignment with the recess in the underside of the band. I provide the leading edge of the clamping plate of my buckle with an upturned edge for directing the tongue end of the band into the buckle below the clamping plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numeralsare used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan of a watch band or the like provided with my slip-through buckle.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of my improved buckle taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of my improved slipthrough buckle with the tongue end removed and with the cover open.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of my improved slipthough buckle with the cover open.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a band provided with my buckle illustrating the condition accommodated by my buckle to avoid damage to the parts thereof.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an alternate form of my improved slip-through buckle with parts removed.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the form of my improved slip-through buckle illustrated in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings one form of my improved slip-through buckle indicated generally by the reference character 10 is adapted to join a band end 12 to a band end 14 provided with a tongue 16. I form the underside of the tongue end 14 of the band with a plurality of spaced recesses or notches 18 the function of which will be more fully pointed out hereinafter.

My buckle includes a frame indicated generally by the reference character 20 having a base 22 formed with a boss 24 adapted to be received in one of the recesses 18. I provide the frame 20 with upstanding sides 26 and 28. A fitting 30 attached to the band end 12 by any suitable means known to the art such as for example as welding or brazing or the like is formed with a bearing section 32 which is pivotally received by a pin or shaft 34 supported by the sides 26 and 28 of the frame 20.

The band having the ends 12 and 14 is of a type known in the art which is semi-flexible but nonexpansible and which is not formed of resilient material. For example, the band may be a metallic band made up of a number of chain-like or mesh elements so connected as to afford limited flexibility to the band. In such a band the recesses or notches 18 in the underside of the tongue end 14 can be formed in any suitable manner such, for example, as by stamping them into the underside of the band. Similarly, if the band is formed from metal,brazing or the like is a suitable method for attaching the fitting 30 to the band. For convenience in use of my buckle I provide the fitting 30 with laterally extending ears 36 which engage in openings 38 formed in the respective sides 26 and 28 to prevent pivoting of the band end 12 with respect to the frame 20.

My buckle includes a cover 40 formed with or connected to respective bearing portion 42 and 44 received by shaft 34 to mount the cover 40 for pivotal movement on the frame 20 between an opened position and a closed position. The respective bearing portions 42 and 44 are formed with cams 46 and 48 adapted to engage a clamping plate 50 in a manner to be described. Plate 50 which is formed of a resilient material such, for example, as a suitable spring steel is provided adjacent its left end as viewed in the drawings with laterally extending ears 52 which are received in openings 54in the respective sides 26 and 28 thus to support the plate for pivotal movement on the frame. Preferably I strike a portion 56 out of the surface of the plate 58 to prevent insertion of the tongue end of the band into the frame over the plate 50. Further I form the leading edge of the plate 50 as an upturned portion 58 to facilitate the insertion of the tongue 16 into the buckle in a manner to be described. It will be seen that in this form of my buckle boss 24 is located between the pivot provided by projections 52 and the points at which cams 46 and 48 engage plate 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 I have illustrated an alternate form of clamping plate and frame assembly for my improved slip-through buckle. The frame indicated generally by the reference character 60 of this form of my buckle has holes 62 in the sides thereof for receiving the pivot pin 34 in the same manner as does the frame in the form of my buckle illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5. Similarly I provide the side of the frame 60 with openings 64 for receiving the tabs or ears 36 of the fitting 30. The plate 66 of this form of my buckle may be made of the same material such as spring steel or the like as is the plate 50. Respective laterally extending ears or tabs 72 on the plate 66 are received in openings 74 generally centrally located along the sides of the frame 60. I so shape the plate 66 as to provide a pair of side tongues 70 adapted to be engaged by the cams 46 and 48 attached to the cover 40 and to provide a central tongue 68 which is adapted to engage the upper surface of the tongue end 14 of the band. The base of frame 60 has a boss 76 located between the pivot provided by ears 72 and the end of tongue 68 which engages the upper surface of the tongue end of the band.

In use of the form of my buckle illustrated in FIGS. 1 to in order to secure the tongue end 14 of the band to the buckle the cover 40 first is moved to the open position illustrated in FIG. 4. Next the tongue 16 is inserted into the frame below the plate 50. It will readily be appreciated that this operation is facilitated by the upturned leading edge 58 of the plate 50. The struck up portion 56 eliminates the possibility that tongue 16 enters the frame above the tongue in such a way as would prevent the buckle from functioning.

After the tongue 16 has been slipped into place below the plate 50 cover is moved to closed position. In the course of this movement of the cover the earns 46 and 48 engage the upper surface of the plate to bring the under surface of the plate into engagement with the upper surface of the tongue end 14. In the closed position of the cover 40 earns 46 and 48 have moved to a slightly beyond dead center position to provide a toggle action which releasably holds the cover closed. Desirably as the closing operations takes place the boss 24 on the base 22 is located in a recess 18 and is locked in that position when the cover is closed. As may occur, however, the boss 24 is not aligned with a recess 18 but is located at a position between two adjacent recesses on the underside of the tongue end 14. If under these conditions the cover is closed the plate can flex as illustrated in FIG. 5 and no damage to the parts of the buckle results. With the parts in this condition a slight pull on the band will slide the tongue end relative to the base until the boss 24 rides into one of the recesses 18. Then the plate 50 returns to its original condition and the tongue end 14 is securely locked in the buckle.

In use of the form of my buckle illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 the tongue end 16 first is slipped through the frame with the end underlying the plate 66 in the same manner as in the operation of the buckle of FIGS. 1 to 5. Next the cover 40 is closed over the base to cause the cams 46 and 48 to engage tongues 70. If a recess 18 is aligned with the boss 76 of the frame the band is securely locked in the buckle. If, however, the boss 76 is at a position between a pair of adjacent recesses 18 the tongues 70 flex as indicated by the broken lines in FIG.

' 6. Then in response to a pull on the band the boss 76 can ride into a recess 18 and the band parts 12 and 14 are securely connected together.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided an improved slipthrough buckle which overcomes significant defects of slip-through buckles of the prior art. My buckle is especially adapted for use with bands of the semi-flexible non-expansible and non-resilient type. It prevents damage to parts of the buckle in the event the boss in the buckle base is not in alignment with a recess in the underside of the tongue end of the band. My buckle facilitates the operation of inserfing the tongue through the buckle. It eliminates the possibility that the tongue can be slipped into the buckle frame over the locking plate. It is simple in construction and in operation for the result achieved thereby.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is therefore, to be understood'that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An improved slip-through buckle for securing the tongue end of a band having spaced recesses in the underside thereof to the buckle end of the band including in combination, a frame having a base formed with a boss adapted to engage in one of said recesses, a cover supported on said frame for movement between an open position away from said base and a closed position over the base, and resilient means responsive to movement of said cover from said open position to said closed position for engaging the upper surface of a portion of the tongue end overlying said base to urge said tongue end toward said base to lock said tongue end to said frame when said boss is positioned in one of said recesses, said resilient means comprising a resilient plate, means mounting said plate for pivotal movement on said frame at a first location along the length thereof, said boss being positioned on said base at a second location spaced from the first location and a cam for engaging said plate at a position between said first and second locations in response to movement of said cover.

2. An improved slip-through buckle for securing the tongue end of a band having spaced recesses in the underside thereof to the buckle end of the band including in combination, a frame having a base formed with a boss adapted to engage in one of said recesses, a resilient plate, means mounting said plate on said frame above said base for toward and away from said boss, a cover means mounting said cover on said frame over said plate for movement between an open position away from said base and a closed position adjacent to said plate, and cam means carried by said cover for engaging said plate to move said plate into engagement with the upper surface of the tongue end of a band overlying .said base, the relative positions of said plate mounting means and said boss and the point of engagement of said cam means and said plate being such as to permit said plate to flex without damage to any parts in the event that said boss engages a portion of the underside of the tongue end outside said recesses as said cover is closed, said boss being located between the plate mounting means and the point of engagement of the cam means with the plate.

3. An improved slip-through buckle as in claim 1 in which said plate has a portion of reduced width forming a tongue adjacent to said second location.

4. An improved slip-through buckle as in claim 2 in which said point of engagement of said cam means and said plate is between said plate mounting means and said boss.

5. An improved slip-through buckle as in claim 2 in which said plate mounting means comprise walls on said base, said plate having a length which is greater than the height of said walls.

6. An improved slip-through buckle as in claim 2 in which said tongue end is adapted to be slipped through said frame in a direction from an entry end toward an exit end, said plate having an upturned edge adjacent to said entry end to facilitate entry of said tongue end into said frame under said plate. 

1. An improved slip-through buckle for securing the tongue end of a band having spaced recesses in the underside thereof to the buckle end of the band including in combination, a frame having a base formed with a boss adapted to engage in one of said recesses, a cover supported on said frame for movement between an open position away from said base and a closed position over the base, and resilient means responsive to movement of said cover from said open position to said closed position for engaging the upper surface of a portion of the tongue end overlying said base to urge said tongue end toward said base to lock said tongue end to said frame when said boss is positioned in one of said recesses, said resilient means comprising a resilient plate, means mounting said plate for pivotal movement on said frame at a first location along the length thereof, said boss being positioned on said base at a second location spaced from the first location and a cam for engaging said plate at a position between said first and second locations in response to movement of said cover.
 2. An improved slip-through buckle for securing the tongue end of a band having spaced recesses in the underside thereof to the buckle end of the band including in combination, a frame having a base formed with a boss adapted to engage in one of said recesses, a resilient plate, means mounting said plate on said frame above said base for toward and away from said boss, a cover means mounting said cover on said frame over said plate for movement between an open position away from said base and a closed position adjacent to said plate, and cam means carried by said cover for engaging said plate to move said plate into engagement with the upper surface of the tongue end of a band overlying said base, the relative positions of said plate mounting means and said boss and the point of engagement of said cam means and said plate being such as to permit said plate to flex without damage to any parts in the event that said boss engages a portion of the underside of the tongue end outside said recesses as said cover is closed, said boss being located between the plate mounting means and the point of engagement of the cam means with the plate.
 3. An improved slip-through buckle as in claim 1 in which said plate has a portion of reduced width forming a tongue adjacent to said second location.
 4. An improved slip-through buckle as in claim 2 in which said point of engagement of said cam means and said plate is between said plate mounting means and said boss.
 5. An improved slip-through buckle as in claim 2 in which said plate mounting means comprise walls on said base, said plate having a length which is greater than the height of said walls.
 6. An improved slip-through buckle as in claim 2 in which said tongue end is adapted to be slipped through said frame in a direction from an entry end toward an exit end, said plate having an upturned edge adjacent to said entry end to facilitate entry of said tongue end into said frame under said plate. 